It may take time to spot fluke, stripers

So far, it's a slow pick for fluke and stripers, with water temperatures ranging between 58 and 65 degrees as the days quickly warmed up. Both fluke and bass boats worked up and down along Sandy Hook this week, covering miles of ground with few keepers to speak of in both categories.

Bluefish, however, were not hard to find up to 10 pounds and are hitting just about anything you can throw at them.

From the Shark River, Capt. Joe aboard Irish Eyes was able work a small bunker pod on his way out to the Sea Girt Reef and found what he was looking for. Capt. Joe had a few good battles and was able to land a few bass, with the biggest one tipping 36 pounds.

Further south along the surf, expert surf fisherman Paul Danielczyk reported from Grumpy's and Betty & Nick's that there were few fish being caught in quantity.

H

ere are a few last-minute bass tips

from Paul:

Tip No. 1 - Paul recommends night fishing off the surf until temperatures settle down. Your chances of getting a trophy bass increase and fewer people on the beach to contend with. Nighttime is when the big bass are usually on the prowl.

Tip No. 2 - Get ready and stay prepared! With the water temperatures about to spike because of the heat, it's a great time to break out the top-water lures.

To get more tips and real-time New Jersey fishing reports, log on to NJSaltwaterfisherman. com.

Fish on!